Azienda Orlando Abrigo-Barbaresco-Nebbiolo-Montersino-Italy-2005-14.5% Alcohol-$29.99-A nose of cherry and spices, medium garnet in color. A medium to full bodied red, with plum, black cherry, smoke and spice on long finish, elegant, drink now. RP-92 WS-93 CR-91 Good with meats, chicken, pasta. One Cork Bonus.

Les Vignerons de Tautavel Vingrau-Les Cirque-Rouge-Grenache-Carignan-Syrah-Cotes Catalanes-France-2014-14.5% Alcohol-$14.99-A nose of cherry and spices, medium garnet in color. A medium to full bodied Rhone blend, with black cherry, cassis, smoke and spice on finish, a very easy drinking red, very good QPR. RP-90 WS-83 CR-88 Good with meats, chicken, pasta.

Lionel Faury-Syrah-Saint Joseph-France-2015-13.0% Alcohol-$24.29-A nose of some dark fruit and some spices. dark garnet in color. A medium to full bodied red, with black cherry, raspberry, herbs and spices on finish, good not great. WS-93 CR-89 Good with meats, chicken, pasta.

Pierre Gaillard-Syrah-Shiraz-Crozes-Hermitage-Rhone-France-2012-12.0% Alcohol-$14.00-A nose of some dark fruit and some spice, medium garnet in color. A medium to full bodied Rhone blend with plum, licorice and spice on finish, a good value. RP-90 CR-88 Good with meats, chicken, pasta.

Decanter Magazine’s Andrew Jefford describes the diversity of the Languedoc-Roussillon region’s appellations, geography, and wine styles. Andrew is a Languedoc-Roussillon resident, a webinar presenter for the guild, and an immersion trip leader. His enthusiasm for the region and its wines is as contagious as his expertise is vast.

“You have to be a bit crazy to make great wines in the Languedoc", Andrew tells us. However, brilliant wine making is certainly being done on a level that puts some of these wines in competition with premium priced offerings from more well-known regions. He also provides sage advice on sorting through the vast array of styles and producers for those must-find jewels.

Lava Vine Vineyards-Pinot Noir-Sta. Rita Hills-California-2014-14.2% Alcohol-$36.00-A nose of some cherry and spice, medium garnet in color. A medium to full bodied red, with black cherry, raspberry, some cola and spice on finish, good not great. NR CR-88 Good with meats, chicken, pasta.

Les Vignerons de Tautavel Vingrau-Les Cirque-Rouge-Grenache-Carignan-Syrah-Cotes Catalanes-France-2014-14.5% Alcohol-$14.99-A nose of cherry and spices, medium garnet in color. A medium to full bodied Rhone blend, with black cherry, cassis, smoke and spice on finish, a very easy drinking red, very good QPR. RP-90 WS-83 CR-88 Good with meats, chicken, pasta.

Zorzal Wines-Eggo-Tinto De Tiza-Malbec-Cabernet Franc-Cabernet Sauvignon-Tupungato-Mendoza-Argentina-2015-13.5% Alcohol-$23.95-A nose of some dark fruit and spices, dark purple in color. A medium to full bodied red, with black cherry, plum, licorice, smoke and spice on finish, very good. RP-94 WE-91 CR-90 Good with meats, chicken, pasta. One Cork Bonus.

Locations Wine-F-4-Grenache-Syrah-Roussillon-Rhone-France-NV-15.0% Alcohol-$15.29-A nose of some dark fruit and heat, some spice, dark garnet in color. A medium to full bodied red blend, with black cherry, currants, spices on hot finish, average at best. NR CR-85 Good with meats, chicken, pasta.

Saga Wines-Cult-Cabernet Sauvignon-St. Helena-California-2014-14.2% Alcohol-$16.96-A nose of dark fruit and spice, dark garnet in color. A medium to full bodied red, with blackberry, black cherry, licorice and spices on long finish. A easy drinking wine, a very good QPR. WE-90 CR-90 Good with meats, chicken, pasta. One Cork Bonus.

Chateau Gigognan-Vignes Du Prieure-Grenache-Syrah-Mourvedre-Cotes Du Rhone-France-2016-14.0% –$9.30-A nose of some fruit and spice, medium garnet in color. A medium to full bodied GSM, with black cherry, kirsch, herbs, some spices on finish, average at best. NR CR-85 Good with meats, chicken, pasta.

Chateau De Beaucastel-Pierre Perrin-Grenache-Syrah-Mourvedre-Cotes-Du-Rhone-France-2014-13.5% Alcohol-$19.37-A nose of dark cherry and spices, dark garnet in color. A medium to full bodied Rhone blend, with black cherry, raspberry, tea and white pepper on long finish, very good, still young. RP-88 CR-90 Good with meats, chicken, pasta. One Cork Bonus.

B-87696-Mendoza Vineyards-1907-Malbec-Mendoza-Argentina-2014-14.0% Alcohol-$9.98-A nose of dark fruit and some spice, dark purple in color. A medium to full bodied red, with black cherry, plum, licorice and spices on finish, a very good QPR. NR CR-88 Good with meats, chicken, pasta.